Total antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic patients: experience at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria.

Total antioxidant status (TAS) was measured in 20 Type 2 diabetic patients aged 40-60 years (mean 50 years). Patients were on diet and oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels > 7.0 mmol/L. Similar measurements were carried out in 20 apparently healthy individuals within the same age range (mean 46 years) and with FPG levels < 6.1 mmol/L. FPG was measured by glucose oxidase method and TAS by a colourimetric method. Comparing the two groups, TAS was significantly reduced in the Type 2 diabetic patients (0.96 +/- 0.37 Vs 1.61 +/- 0.16 mmol/L) (P < 0.05). An inverse correlation between FPG and TAS suggested the existence of a lower antioxidant defense in poorly controlled Type 2 diabetics. Good control of FPG, could possibly help reduce free radical activity and probably minimize the chronic complications in diabetic patients.